Writing includes writing drafts and organizing information into a specific structure.
Where do I start?
- Location: Choose a location away from distractions that is comfortable and close to your resources
- Not a “perfect paper”: Don’t worry about having a perfect paper in the beginning stages of writing. That is what revising and rewriting is for.
- Use previous notes you have from the planning stages or from class which pertain to your topic.
- Write drafts on the computer if possible.
- Break your writing into chunks. (Don’t overwhelm yourself by waiting until the last minute to write. Break your paper into pieces which you can do gradually)
- Take breaks!!
- Get organized. If you are writing a research paper you will need to get folders, highlighters, note cards, and establish a system to keep track of what your new and old resources are, what quotes or ideas you want to use, etc.
Ready? Begin
- Keep your audience, thesis, and time in mind.
- Write—some writers prefer to sit down and write, not paying attention to paragraphs or organization. Others prefer to look at their outline, write, and provide the details according to this.
Introduction
Introductions draw readers into your paper and explain the content.
Body
- Paragraphs: A paragraph is a group of at least three sentences that work together to establish a point. They make it much easier to read and follow a paper. Refer to an outline or a list of main headings to be discussed and work on one idea at a time.
- Length: Your paper should be long enough to support your thesis to its fullest, but take care to cut out ideas that do not relate to the thesis.
- Flow: Paragraphs should be arranged in an order that is very easy to follow, and makes clear points which refer back to the thesis or main idea. A body of a paper can be arranged chronologically or logically.
- Transitions: help guide a reader from one idea to the next.
Conclusion
Conclusions reiterate the main points presented in a paper and are usually what readers remember most.
